It’s not 1985, it’s 2027 and Smart Manufacturing Week is taking manufacturing back to the future at the NEC in Birmingham on 9-10 June.
Right now, the smart factory is increasingly becoming shaped by robotics and automation, helping manufacturing leaders to remove repetitive manual tasks and give teams more time to focus on innovation, problem solving solutions and creative ideas. As AI and digital twins become increasingly embedded in production, developing new skills and capabilities is becoming just as important as adopting the technology itself.
But with 2050 on the horizon, what comes next? The next generation of factories could bring a host of new capabilities, from adaptive and autonomous production, circular systems and close human-machine collaboration. And with many of these technologies already emerging today, that future may not be as far away as it seems.
This year, Smart Manufacturing Week brought a festival feel to manufacturing, with flagpoles, live music, food vans and even mariachi bands. Next year, the experience evolves. The industry is going back to the future, with visitors taken on a journey through the UK’s largest showcase of advanced manufacturing and engineering, from the factory of today to the factory of tomorrow.
The goal? For every visitor to leave with one thing in mind: Great Scott! Manufacturing has changed.
Factory of the Future
The newest feature of the 2027 show to be announced in Factory of the Future. This immersive feature brings together the next generation of connected, intelligent and secure manufacturing to life. Sitting at the heart of the show, the feature will offer a glimpse into what the future of manufacturing could look like.
Developed in partnership with AMIC, the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre, the feature will explore how digital manufacturing, automation, AI, digital twins, cyber security, sustainability and connected supply chains are coming together to reshape the factory floor.
Get ready to see…
- Intelligent manufacturing in action
- A connected, date drive production environment
- Technology and modern-day capabilities
Smart Manufacturing Week invites solution providers and specialist manufacturers of all sizes to integrate their capabilities here and redefine what connected manufacturing looks like in practice. With Redzone and Hoffmann Group already lined up, the Factory of the Future is taking shape.
For visitors, this is an opportunity to step back to the future and into 2050, inside a live, modular manufacturing environment, to see how technology, data, equipment and people can work together to create a more connected, responsive and intelligent factory.
Unapparelled partners
Through five key pillars, carefully curated by The Manufacturer, the event tackles the sector’s most pressing challenges and exciting opportunities, from digital transformation and supply chain resilience to innovation and smart technologies, workforce and skills, and sustainability and the circular economy.
Every element of the show aims to champion manufacturing and engineering excellence, from expert speakers, industry shaping technology and new talent. To bring this vision to life, Smart Manufacturing Week is working closely with a host of industry partners, ensuring each pillar reflects the priorities, challenges and opportunities shaping the future of manufacturing.
As on the factory floor, teamwork makes the dream work and Smart Manufacturing Week is delighted to announce its partners:
- Northwest Aerospace Alliance
- Confederation of British Metalforming
- Institute of Measurement + Control
- Institution of Engineering Designers
- British Safety Industry Federation
- And more…
From aerospace and metals to safety, design and beyond, Smart Manufacturing Week brings together different corners of the industry under one roof. Because the future of manufacturing isn’t shaped by one technology, one sector or one solution. It’s built through collaboration, bringing the people, ideas and expertise of the industry together in one place, at one time, with one shared focus: moving manufacturing forward.
Get involved with Smart Manufacturing Week 2027
Smart Manufacturing Week 2027 takes place on 9–10 June 2027 at the NEC Birmingham, bringing together the UK manufacturing and engineering community.
Book your space: Request the 2027 brochure and explore opportunities to exhibit, sponsor or get involved: Request our Brochure
Register your interest: Stay up to date with event news and registration:
Register your Interest for Smart Manufacturing Week!
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